Blessings of Sha’ban

This blessed month is a favourite month of our Beloved Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم and is a month of reciting Salat-‘Alan-Nabi. It is stated in Ghunya-tut-Talibeen that in the blessed month of Sha’ban, Durood is recited upon the Prophet of creation, the Peace of our heart and mind, the most Generous and Kindصَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم abundantly and this is a month of sending Durood upon the Beloved Rasoolصَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم

(Ghunya-tut-Talibeen, vol. 1, pp. 342)

The Beloved Rasool صَلَّی اللّٰہ تعالٰی علیہ واٰلہٖ وسلَّم would regularly fast in Sha’ban

It is stated in another blessed Hadees: The Hazrat Muhammad صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم would not observe fasts so abundantly in any other month as he صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم would do in the blessed month of Sha’ban, rather, he صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم used to fast for the entire month, and would say, ‘Act according to your capability as Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ does not stop His blessings until you become exhausted.’

(Sahih Bukhari, vol. 1, pp. 648, Hadees 1970)

The commentator of Sahih Bukhari, ‘Allamah Muftī Shareef-ul-Haq Amjadī عَـلَيْهِ رَحْـمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ الۡـقَـوِی has elaborated on this Hadees as follows: It means that he صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم used to observe fasts in most of the days of Sha’ban and this was referred to as the whole (i.e. fasting for the whole month). It is usually said, ‘Such and such a person worshipped the whole night’; although he would have spent some time in eating and meeting his needs. In such cases, ‘mostly’ refers to the ‘whole’.

He رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه further stated: From this Hadees we have learnt that one bearing the capability to do so, should fast abundantly. However, the one who is weak should not fast as it may negatively affect his ability to fast in the month of Ramadan. The same point has been confirmed in those Ahadees in which it was stated, ‘Do not observe fast after the first half of Sha’ban.’

(Sunan-ut-Tirmiżī, Hadees 738; Nuzha-tul-Qārī, vol. 3, pp. 377-380)

Have you seen that Sha’ban was the most favourite month of the Noble Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم , although fasts are not obligatory in this month, the Beloved and Blessed Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم , used to abundantly fast in this month. Now ponder on this fact, being Sayyid-ul-Ma’sumeen (sinless and incapable of sinning), the Noble Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم , would fast, now how important is it for the sinful people like us to fast. We should also develop this habit of observing optional fasts in addition to the Ramadan fasts. It is a source of great Deeni advantages along with the abundance of worldly benefits. The protection of Imaan (faith), prevention from sins, salvation from Hell and the achievement of Jannah are part of the Deeni advantages that one may achieve, and so far as the worldly benefits are concerned, saving time, saving expenses, giving the stomach a rest and the protection from so many other diseases as well as achieving the essence of all benefits is that Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ is Pleased. We should also attain countless Deeni and worldly benefits, bearing the hardship of a few days only.

The Prophet of Rahmah, the Intercessor of the Ummah صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم , has stated, ‘Whoever observes a Nafl [optional] fast expecting reward, Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ will keep him 40 years distance away from Hell.’

(Kanz-ul-‘Ummāl, pp. 255, vol. 8, Hadees 24148)

The Prophet of Rahmah, the Intercessor of the Ummah صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم , has stated: If someone keeps a Nafl [optional] fast and (even if he) is given the whole earth full of gold (as a reward) his reward will still remain incomplete, he will be given his reward on the Day of Judgement only.

(Musnad Abī Ya’lā, pp. 353, vol. 5, Hadees 6104)

Those who observe optional fasts are rewarded with such incredible favours that Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ keeps them away from Hell, the distance of 40 years and even gold equal to the earth if it were to be given to him, it cannot exceed his reward which will be given to him on the Day of Judgement. Therefore, we should also observe optional fasts such as the fasts of Rajab & Sha’ban as well as on Mondays & Thursdays, along with the obligatory fasts.

Shaykh-e-Tareeqat, Ameer-e-Ahl-e-Sunnat, the founder of Dawat-e-Islami, ‘Allamah Maulana Abu Bilal Muhammad Ilyas Attar Qadiri Razawi Ziyaee دَامَـتْ بَـرَكَـاتُـهُـمُ الْـعَـالِـيَـه loves optional fasts; that’s the reason he دَامَـتْ بَـرَكَـاتُـهُـمُ الْـعَـالِـيَـه continues to observe fasts the entire year except on the prohibited days. He also strongly motivates and persuades others to observe fasts on each Monday along with observing fasts in Rajab & Sha’ban, furthermore, by virtue of his sincere persuasion and motivation, many Islamic brothers and Islamic sisters are privileged to fast in the entire month of Rajab and Sha’ban, if not the whole of these blessed months then most of their days are spent fasting.

Worshipping in the night of Shab-e-Bara`at

The Prophet of Rahmah, the Intercessor of the Ummah, the Owner of Jannah صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم would abundantly worship in the night of Shab-e-Bara`at. Sayyidah ‘Āishah Siddīqah رَضِیَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهَا has narrated: Once on the 15th night of Sha’ban, the Noble Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّمsaid to me, ‘Let me worship on this night’. I humbly said, ‘Yes, may my parents be sacrificed upon you.’ Then the Holy Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم stood in prayer, he then prostrated for so long that I presumed that the blessed soul of the Beloved and Blessed Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم had been seized. I felt by touched the blessed feet of the Noblest Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم and was overjoyed to feel movement.

(Shu’ab-ul-Imaan, vol. 3, pp. 384, Hadees 3837)

Noble Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم is a beloved of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ and despite being a Sayyid-ul-Ma’sumeen, he صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم used to excessively worship. We should also worship as much as we can and avoid setting off fireworks and other such acts which cause the displeasure of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ

It is reported that the one who offers 100 Rak’aat on this blessed night, Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّwill send 100 angels to him of whom 30 angels bring him the glad tiding of Jannah. Another 30 will save him from the fire of Hell, 30 will keep all calamities of the world away from him and the last 10 will protect him from the deception of satan.

(Haashiya-tus-Saawi, vol. 5, pp. 1908, Surah Ad-Dukhan Taht-al-Ayah 4)

Ameer-ul-Mu`mineen Sayyiduna Ali’-ul-Murtada کَـرَّمَ الـلّٰـهُ تَـعَـالٰی وَجۡـھَـهُ الۡـکَـرِیۡم has said: On the 15th night of Sha’ban, I saw the Noble Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم standing for prayer, he صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم offered 14 Rak’aat. Having completed the Salah, the Beloved Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم recited Surah Al-Fatihah 14 times, Surah Al-Ikhlas 14 times, Surah Al-Falaq 14 times, Surah An-Naas 14 times, Aayat-ul-Kursi one time and then he recited this blessed verse:

لَقَدۡ جَآ ءَکُمۡ رَ سُوۡ لٌ مِّنۡ اَ نۡفُسِکُمۡ

When the Noble Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم completed his recitation, I asked about this action. The Greatest and Holiest Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم has stated, ‘The one who does this, he will attain the reward equal to 20 accepted Hajj [pilgrimage] and accepted fasts of 20 years and if he wakes up in the morning in the state of fasting, then he will attain the reward of fasts of the past one year and fasts of the year to come.’

(Shu’ab-ul-Imaan, vol. 3, pp. 386)

Sayyiduna Hasan Basri عَـلَيْهِ رَحْـمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ الۡـقَـوِی has stated: 30 blessed companions رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُم of the Holy Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم have told me that if anyone offers 100 Ra’kaat in cycles of two Rak’aat; and in each Rak’at after Surah Al-Fatihah he recites Surah Al-Ikhlas 11 times, Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ will shower 70 times Divine mercy upon that person, each mercy will fulfil 70 of his needs and the minimum he would receive is forgiveness.

(Ruh-ul-Bayan, vol. 8, pp. 403, Surah Ad-Dukhan, Taht-al-Ayah 3)

It is mentioned in a blessed Hadees that whoever stays awake in 5 nights and spends them in worshipping, Jannah becomes obligatory for him, the 15th night of Sha’ban is also one of these nights.

(Ruh-ul-Bayan, vol. 8, pp. 403, Surah Ad-Dukhan, Taht-al-Ayah 3)

In brief, this is a favourite month of the Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم and it is a month of reciting Salat & Salam. To show true respect for this blessed month, we should perform continuous prayers, recite the Blessed Al Quran, observe optional fasts abundantly, visit the graves to develop the contemplation of the Hereafter, make Du’a of seeking forgiveness for the deceased Muslims as well as motivate and persuade people of our localities to not set off fireworks and other such evil acts, but rather carry out virtuous deeds; if possible, host an Ijtima’ of Zikr-o-Na’at in houses in this month and make the intention to attend the Sunnah-inspiring congregation of Shab-e-Bara`at, which are held under Dawat-e-Islami and associate yourselves with the Madani environment of Dawat-e-Islami in order to protect yourselves from sins, and to attain the passion of earning virtues and calling towards righteousness.

اٰمِيۡن بِجَاهِ النَّبِيِّ الۡاَمِيۡن صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيۡهِ وَاٰلِه وَسَلَّم

صَلُّوۡا عَلَى الۡحَبِيۡب صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلٰى مُحَمَّد